Can an anal fissure develop into an anal fistula?
Disease description:
I have noticed severe pain during bowel movements, along with occasional minor bleeding. I suspect I may have developed an anal fissure. If anal fissures recur and become infected, could they develop into an anal fistula?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Anal fissures and anal fistulas are two distinct anorectal diseases, but they are somewhat related.
An anal fissure is a localized chronic ulcer caused by a full-thickness tear in the skin lining of the anal canal, typically accompanied by symptoms such as cyclical pain and bleeding. An anal fistula refers to an abnormal channel between the perianal skin and the interior of the anal canal, usually formed after rupture of a perianal abscess.
When anal fissures recur and become infected, they may cause inflammatory reactions in the surrounding perianal tissues, potentially progressing into a fistula. This occurs because the wound from an anal fissure is prone to bacterial infection, which can spread to deeper tissues, leading to abscess formation and eventually resulting in an anal fistula. Therefore, prompt medical attention is essential once symptoms of an anal fissure appear, to prevent disease progression.
